Hi all I responded to Moahunter, but this really just a reply in general. I think this is a good and important discussion and I see everyones point about this. But a couple of things to point out, in general terms of contractor/employee discussion.

Sometimes, especially in tough financial times, a company will not approve a position to be filled, whether it is a replacement position or a new position, for regular employment, but will approve it to be filled by a contractor. For a community that may already have low levels of employment, it allows for someone to be hired and make an income, as well as still allow the company to increase production.

There are also other possible benefits of being a contractor than a regular employee. Usually, a contractor, in lew of receiving company benefits (ie-health benefits) will be payed more than a regular employee in the same position. This is one reason why a lot of people prefer to be contractors- higher pay (and more options). If someones spouse is a regular employee with a company and receives benefits, again the main one being health insurance, it covers the whole family (so the other spouse does not need it) and they are then bringing in more income to the family as a contractor. Of course someone who is single, may just want the higher pay, and not want the lower pay and benefits for whatever their personal reasons.

Also, in some situations being a contractor can actually protect you more than being a regular employee. As a contractor, you sign a contract with a company for a secific amout of time. The company legally has to pay you for that time frame no matter what. As a regular employee a company can terminate the relationship"at will" (as can the employee) for reduction in work forcei.e. layoffs at any time with compensation ending accordingly.

My main point is that being a contractor has its benefits also, especially for people who might prefer to be a contractor. - "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."